THE CHANGEABLE NATURE OF WEATHER, GOLF AND LIFE

When traveling and playing golf in Scotland, the weather is as much of a concern as the quality of the golf courses. Even in the height of summer, the days can be cold enough to make layering up a necessity. Such seemed to have been the case when this year’s Open was played in St Andrews.

Sweaters and anoraks were as commonplace as hybrids along the fairways of St Andrews’ Old Course. And even for the players, the currently popular compression cold weather wear was ubiquitous. This is summer?

But like the bounce you get on links fairways, it is no point really lamenting the nature of the weather. You can look all you want at forecasts a week before, then 24 hours before, then on the morning itself, then look out the window and make final adjustments to the wardrobe. But there really is no point in predicting what Scottish weather will be like for the day and similarly who will be playing well on any given round at The Open. Just look at what happened last week.

Friday's weather was forecasted to be 90% precipitation with light winds. As it turned out, there was light rain and the blustery winds whipped through the course with speeds of up to 40 mph causing the officials to suspend play for an hour. By that token, Rory McIlroy who played 63 on opening day Thursday, then shot 80 for Friday as a result of inclement weather.

A round of golf in Scotland comes with its share of unpredictability. There is no telling what the day's caprices in weather or scores will be, or what the course will throw up – much like life, actually. All we can do is aim to just have fun playing whatever the weather. If you prepare for the worst, then you set yourself up to be pleasantly surprised when the sun comes out.

We can never tell, but a sound strategy to bank on for all aspects of golf, life and weather might be... Make good preparation first, then focus on the job at hand; have the right attitude come rain, wind or shine; and with all that out of the way, then give it up to a higher force, and enjoy the ride.

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